Latvian PM faces bittersweet victory in election backdropped by Russia
An EU sanctions showdown could strenghten Andris Kulbergs's position, but a coalition puzzle awaits.
Latvia’s Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs will face his first electoral challenge on Saturday, despite leading the polls. However, this victory may be bittersweet for him, as his centrist allies may fail to reach the 5% threshold required to gain parliamentary seats. If this occurs, Kulbergs may need to collaborate with right-wing veteran Ainārs Šlesers, who opposes Russia's tariffs and has been a key figure in Latvian politics for decades.
Kulbergs dismissed the idea of partnering with Šlesers as speculation, emphasizing his commitment to maintaining Latvia's stance on Russia. The Prime Minister's decision to lose the battle on delisting two Russian billionaires from the EU sanctions list might have set the stage for more coalition challenges. Despite this, Kulbergs' strong performance in the polls, with his United List party polling around 20%, could help him navigate these potential difficulties.
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